Top Chopped Liver In Philly And Burbs

"What am I, chopped liver?" An anguished cry that really asks, "Why am I being ignored?"

But there's a horde of people that do not ignore chopped chicken liver, a classic Jewish delicacy. They crave it. Their mom makes it. When she doesn't, they seek it out in delis. Which brings us to finding a deli, serving chopped liver near home. Take-out chopped liver, many believe originated nearly a century ago at the iconic New York appetizer store, Russ and Daughters. But it rapidly migrated to Philly. Since my recent deli chopped liver tastings have been limited to Hymies in Lower Merion and the Famous on 4th Street, I've called on friends and colleagues in the CBS family to help out. I've dined with all and believe they know their chopped liver. "So, where already?" you ask. Here's where. – Jay Lloyd

Let's start at the heart of the region. To satisfy a chopped liver craving in Center City, I turned to Bob Kravitz, a fellow member of Philadelphia Broadcast Pioneers. Bob writes, "There are two in Philly That I would go to. Schlesingers at 16th & Locust or Famous deli at 4th & Bainbridge. Schlesingers is the only original Deli left. It has everything from Chicken Soup to the greatest Reubens. Their kugel is amazing. Service is good and it's family run." I'll add, the family migrated here from the New York area and numbers owner Alan Domb, the newest City Councilman. Schlesingers also gets raves from other deli denizens.

I join Bob in choosing the Famous Deli. KYW staffers enjoyed many breakfast meetings around a Famous Deli table over smoked fish, bagels and one of my favorites, chopped chicken liver on a bed of lettuce, tomatoes and thinly sliced red onion. The Famous is also the place to be on election day mornings as a Who's Who of Philly politicos gather to handicap the ballot.

Since many liver lovers live in the Cherry Hill area, I turned to former KYW editor and reporter Larry Litwin who penned a heartfelt homage to this unique appetizer and his favorite spot near home to find it.

"Without question, the best (commercially-made) chopped chicken liver in South Jersey can be found at the Kibitz Room in Cherry Hill. The owner Neil must have copied my bubbe's recipe. Neil's chopped liver has just the right amount of chicken fat (schmaltz), hard-boiled egg and finely chopped onion. Every fork full takes me back to my childhood. It is as close to home-made as one can get. In fact, as far as I am concerned, it is home-made. It even makes matzo taste better."

Now you know what's in it.

Since many of us live in the Pennsylvania suburbs, I called on Jack Cohen who before retiring to Texas organized CBS Radio car shows. He's now nostalgic for the chopped liver he found near his former Montgomery County home.

"My absolute favorite place would have to be Ben & Irv's on County Line Road in Huntington Valley. It's made like my Bubbe used to make; the fresh chicken liver, the schmaltz.... just the right amount of salt and pepper. Good on a sandwich, as a side, in a knish. Ben and Irv's is an institution in the community. There is ALWAYS someone you know when you walk in there; a friend, a neighbor a relative....Old time service, friendly, attentive ...the epitome of the "Jewish Deli".

Jaqueline Strauss who was frequently heard on Talk Radio WPHT joins many who find their way to Hymies in Lower Merion for a liver nosh. She put it this way.

"The closest thing to a New York Deli in the Philly suburbs has to be Hymie's of Merion. When I think of Jewish delicacies like chopped chicken liver, excellent matzo ball soup, and cabbage borscht like mom used to make, I think of Hymie's. They have an all-you-can-eat salad bar, including sour tomatoes, red beet and onion salad, macaroni salad, potato salad, health salad, pickles either "half-done" or "well-done" and ambrosia too! Oy, my mouth waters!! Thanks for asking me, Jay"!

And if you're heading to the shore this summer and get that insatiable chopped liver craving, Leigh Richards, who has been heard on KYW and WXTU has the answer.

"When down-the-shore I look forward to scooping up chopped chicken liver and other delicious Jewish-treats at Casel's Supermarket in Margate. I longingly remember my grandmothers chopped liver. Casel's kitchen, thankfully chops its own chicken liver and uses all the familiar ingredients to make my flavor memories burst to life. Grandmom would approve."

Among other favorite area go-to spots for chopped liver, try Hershel's Deli in the Reading Terminal Market www.hershelseastsidedeli.com/ and Michael's Deli in King of Prussia michaelsdeli.com/home/3638281.

Enjoy!